Globalization of Social Struggles: An Investigative Study on the Effects of the International League of Peoples' Struggle on the Domestic Social Actions of Local Progressive Organizations

Abstract

In this age of globalization, social movements today are faced with the challenges of a changing global environment politically, socially, economically, and culturally. Imperialism has found its new form in globalization with the help of modem technology, and its effects on the basic masses continue to worsen. Oppression and exploitation towards the small and poor countries has reached a higher level. Class struggle becomes more evident and In the Philippines, social movements under the national democratic political line have faced this challenge of the changing global environment by taking advantage of the resources that this come with it Even prior to the establishment of the Communist Party of the Philippines, local progressive social movements have already established its links with organizations and different peoples abroad in the spirit of uniting in their struggle for national democracy and social liberation. At present, the links of these local progressive organizations to international organizations and allied organizations abroad have widened and developed as the new means of communication provided by the modem technology makes it more convenient for social movement actors all over the world to collaborate and combine their forces towards achieving their goals. The International League of Peoples Struggle, together with other international social networks of local progressive organizations has proven to be effective means to advance the domestic struggles of the people. The ILPS serves as a rallying force to raise the militancy and consciousness, not only of the Filipino masses all over the world, but also of the different peoples from the other countries. The struggle being fought by the member organizations of the ILPS is no longer confined to its domestic problems but extends to the struggles of other nations and of course, the broader social ill - imperialism - that is plaguing people in all parts of the world. Through in-depth interviews, library and Internet research, participant observation and historical analysis, the researcher has traced the origins of social movements in the country and their international links and thus provided the researcher with the foundation and the framework on how to analyze these movements. This study has found a mutual relationship between the local progressive organizations and its international links in terms of exchanging strategies and perspectives in organizing work. The ILPS provides networks for international support on certain issues and struggles faced by the Filipino people, while on the other hand, the local progressive organizations through their exposure programs and by establishing chapters of their local organizations abroad, provide the people from different parts of the world, a social context wherein they will better understand the conditions of the people, inspiring them and heightening their commitment towards the ideals, principles and objectives of their organization. This study, by describing the relationship of the local social movement actors with international social movements 一 their dynamics, history, problems and contributions to one another - intends to impart additional knowledge in the study of social movements in the Philippines and their international social networks.